An "Olympic" & uplifting experience

Posted by: DrMark on 25 February 2017

I officiate ice hockey games, and have for years. (For as long as my spine will allow anyway - probably not too much longer...my next birthday will start with a '6', and recovery time seems to lengthen each passing year!! I have 5 games this weekend - 4 to go tomorrow...)

The US Olympic/National and Developmental Sled Hockey team was in town this week for practice and scrimmage (they need rinks with clear boards so the players on the bench can see what is taking place on the ice), and yours truly got to officiate the scrimmage.

What these disabled athletes do is nothing short of phenomenal, and legless or not, they are clearly world class athletes. Feel very fortunate to have had this experience. They can really get around on the ice much more quickly than you would think.  And make no mistake, it is full contact and they go for it!

Yes the portly guy in stripes is yours truly - just a really neat experience and thought I'd share it.

Posted on: 25 February 2017 by Scooot

Hi DRMARK,

I played ice hockey for Sunderland crowtree chiefs for 5 years,many years ago.The training was gruelling enough,up at 5 on weekends so we had plenty of ice time before the rink opened to the public.

My upmost respect to theese guys.Its not a sport for the faint hearted and from what I have seen of the disabled ice hockey teams they give it their all and some.

Good on you for your participation.

Scott.

Posted on: 26 February 2017 by DrMark

Scott - did you play against the Altrincham Aces in your playing days?